There is a tremendous amount of beautiful countryside all across the USA. There is even “some” attractiveness in cities, although I am normally more drawn to rural settings or wild places. I often admire the landscape in my normal area, but occasionally I have the opportunity to travel to a more distant location. Travel presents to me the occasion to see, and possibly photograph, new vistas and to experience situations beyond my typical routine. In many ways, travel gives all of us a chance to grow and expand out perspective.
When I travel, in most instances, my preference is to drive on secondary roads. This allows me to slow down and to observe how life proceeds in a different place. Yes, the interstates are great ways to move quickly over long distances. However, if time is not a critical consideration, I will try to avoid interstate highways except to rapidly bypass large cities. I prefer to see the small towns and rural areas that the secondary roads regularly pass through. Also, on the secondary roads it is easier to avoid chain restaurants and accommodations so that the trip takes on more of a local flavor. This presents the traveler some opportunities to add some richness and uniqueness to the journey.
However, there are times where the road tripper must negotiate the interstate highway system. My preference is to only travel on high-speed limited-access roads to drive around or directly through large cities without stopping. Even though many secondary roads will take the traveler through a city, the significantly longer time commitment and possibility of frustration with unfamiliar traffic patterns makes the interstate a preferred alternative. But when time considerations are top of the list, the interstates provide a compelling choice. Even a toll road with very limited exit and entrance options will have some options to get off the highway and visit small towns with local attractions. Often there will be signs to highlight local restaurants, scenic views, historic sites, and owner-operated accommodations.
Interstate highways were created to rapidly move people and products from one location to another. One origin story for highways that I have heard is that in the 1920’s, Dwight Eisenhower was tasked with leading a military convoy across the country. He became frustrated that there was not a fast or easy way to make this trip. Construction of an interconnected highway system exploded in the 1950’s and 1960’s. Most of the new roads were laid in the most direct route from one city to another, bypassing smaller towns while providing a much faster option. As more people began to use the highways, chain restaurants and hotels proliferated and many small local options began to close. But there are still a large number of local choices remaining on secondary roads.
Road trips present a great opportunity to see the country and have experiences that expand out perspective. We can choose a route, change it at will, drive slow or fast, eat at chain restaurants or local diners, sleep in a national hotel or a unique option, and visit attractions that appeal to us. We have many choices we can make to tailor a road trip to the available time frame, interests, and travel style. A road trip is a great way to experience new places.